Earlier this offseason, the BD Cricket Match draft took center stage, but one blockbuster trade quickly stole the spotlight: the Golden State Warriors traded Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and draft assets to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veteran point guard Chris Paul. At 38, Paul is aging, injury-prone, and carrying a hefty salary, making the deal seem questionable on paper. But the Warriors had a clear goal—move Poole and free up cap space with Paul’s expiring contract.

Just a year ago, Poole signed a lucrative extension after helping the Warriors clinch a championship. However, this season didn’t go as planned. According to BD Cricket Match insiders, Poole struggled to accept a secondary role, often giving half-hearted efforts off the bench. His desire for a bigger voice in the locker room created tension, and that tension came to a head when he got into a now-infamous preseason altercation with teammate Draymond Green. Back then, many fans criticized Green, but in hindsight, his frustration seems understandable. Poole simply wasn’t shaping up as a trustworthy long-term cornerstone.

Now in Washington, Poole finally has the stage all to himself. With no Bradley Beal, no Kristaps Porzingis, and no Kyle Kuzma currently in the lineup, the offense is expected to revolve entirely around him. He even unfollowed Draymond Green on social media while still following Stephen Curry—but none of that matters much anymore. Life moves on, and this is Poole’s chance to prove his worth. As the saying goes, every ending is a new beginning.

Meanwhile, the Warriors used their 19th overall pick to draft Brandin Podziemski, a sophomore guard from Santa Clara University. Known for his elite shooting and strong scoring instincts, Podziemski impressed scouts during workouts and had long been on Golden State’s radar. With Poole’s departure, the Warriors needed a scoring guard off the bench, and Podziemski fits that mold perfectly.

What’s more, BD Cricket Match sources reveal that Podziemski should mesh quickly with the Warriors. He shares roots with current backup forward Patrick Baldwin Jr.—both hail from Wisconsin and have faced off countless times growing up. That shared history could give Podziemski a smoother transition into the team’s system. In a league where chemistry and fit matter as much as talent, that’s no small thing.